Category Archives: Local News
Man charged after police standoff
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
LIBERTY — A man is charged with attempted murder after the Pickens County Sheriff’s 
Office says he fired dozens of shots during a lengthy standoff with deputies.
According to a release from Chief Deputy Brett Barwick issued Saturday, the PCSO 911 communication center received a call for service at 7:06 p.m. Friday about a person shooting a gun in the area of McClanahan Road in
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President’s Safety Award
Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative received the President’s Safety Award from the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina (ECSC) this week for the year 2025, highlighting a commitment to organizational safety. This is the fifth time Blue Ridge has won the award, the most of any co-op in the largest state division. The co-op also recently surpassed 1,000 days without a lost-time accident. Pictured from left to right are Blue Ridge Manager of Safety and Loss Control David Black, ECSC Vice President of Loss Control and Training Peggy Dantzler, and Blue Ridge President/CEO Jim Lovinggood.
Business of the month
The Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce has announced Butterfly Wellness Yoga Meditation Center as its April Business of the Month. Butterfly Wellness is a beloved local gem in the greater Pickens area, known for their diverse class offerings, a beautifully restored building, and community favorite events, including the worldwide phenomenon, the Gingys holiday series featuring Chief Beach, which they originally created and continue to organize. Support local and visit Butterfly Wellness Yoga Center for Healing Arts to experience the community spirit they bring to everything they do. Pictured are Barbara Center – United Way, Gingy, Chief Beach, Abby O’shields, Brayden, Allison Goodwin, Kit Heelan- Owner, Melissa Sherbon, Gingy, Jerri Davis – United Way.
Arnold’s gives generous donation to Liberty Community Scholarships
LIBERTY— The spirit of community was on full display recently as Arnold’s of Liberty, under the leadership of owner Gary Durkee and manager Michael Shore, made a generous contribution to support the Liberty Community Scholarships program.
The fundraiser, held at the popular local restaurant, brought together residents, community leaders, and supporters from across the area for a day centered on giving
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Courier Community Calendar 4-22-26
• PHS Class of 1976 plan 50th Reunion
The Pickens High School Class of 1976 will host its 50th class reunion from noon-5 p.m. May 9 at the Hagood Mill Pavilion. The Hagood Mill Pavilion is located at 129 Hagood Mill Road in Pickens. Barbecue, macaroni and cheese and slaw will be provided. Those attending are asked to bring a side dish or dessert. Tea and water will also be provided. The Traveling Tap, a local beer truck, will be on hand selling beer and wine. A professional photographer will also be available to take a commemorative PHS 50th anniversary class photo for only $20 payable in cash or check only, no cards. The event will be $40 per person. April 1.
For more information or to purchase tickets for the once‑in‑a‑lifetime Class of 1976 Pickens High School reunion, contact Mike Dickard by phone at (864) 505‑2147 or by email at mikedickard@bellsouth.net.
• Six Mile Farmer’s Market to open
Six Mile Farmer’s Depot Farmer’s Market season will begin on Tuesday, April 28 at 4 p.m.
The market is at the pavilion in the Downtown Community Park on Main Street in Six Mile.
See the Town of Six Mile website for more information including how to sign up as a vendor.
Be there on Tuesdays from 4 to 7 weekly for produce, plants, flowers, works of local
Streambank workshop aims to protect Saluda
EASLEY — Save Our Saluda and Clemson Extension recently announced the 2026 Streambank Stabilization Workshop, to be held April 28 at the Pleasant Ridge Camp and Retreat Center.
The workshop will include an indoor morning speaker session with topics including
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Pickens resident says she was falsely linked to altered emails
PICKENS — A Pickens resident says her name was falsely linked to altered emails pertaining to Pickens City Council last year, which led her to be referred to the South 
Carolina Law Enforcement Division for investigation.
Pam Winters asked for “the truth” during the citizens comment portion of city council’s April 13 meeting.
She said she’d been “paying attention and gathering information for four very long
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UCM to begin Giving Garden
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — Work will soon begin on a new way to assist clients at United Christian 
Ministries.
Executive director Melanie Johnson discussed the “Giving Garden” with the Courier on Monday morning.
“For the last couple of years, in our strategic plan, we wanted to increase the amount of
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Layoffs announced for Liberty plant
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
LIBERTY — A manufacturer at the Pickens County Commerce Park will lay off about a third of its workforce there.
The April 10 WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Network) Report announced Industrial Plastics Group LLC would have layoffs impacting 74 employees at its
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New scholarships help open a path for future engineers to transfer from Tri-County Tech to Clemson University
By Paul Alongi
Clemson News
news@thepccourier.com
PENDLETON — Aspiring engineers at Tri-County Technical College will have a new pathway into Clemson University through STEPS2Clemson, a program that provides 
significant scholarships and academic support for students with demonstrated financial need.
The program offers up to $10,000 in scholarship support during students’ first year, which is completed at Tri-County. After transferring to Clemson, students are eligible for up to $15,000 per year for up to three years, contingent on
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